Wednesday 19 February 2014

We Don't All Love Donuts: Canadian Stereotypes Clarifed

One of the first things I had to ask Elizabeth was, "What kind of stereotypes do Americans have about Canadians?" Some of her answers surprised me. Some didn't. As I attempt to set the record straight with these stereotypes, please understand that I'm not speaking on behalf of all of Canada. I'm from Toronto; the most multicultural city in the country (next to Vancouver). Our world here is much different than that of say, Nova Scotia. So, I'm just here to represent Toronto. I'm sure my fellow Torontonian, Kathy, can back me up on this. Check out her post on Canadian Education (and stereotypes) here.

Now to clear things up!

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"You all like donuts."

False.

Andrew and Jerome immediately said that this was an untrue stereotype. Due to my love for Tim Hortons (Canada's famous coffee shop), I thought it could be somewhat true. But, then I thought about it and disagreed. I don't think I know anyone who has ever gone out their way to buy one. I'm going to go ahead and blame this stereotype on How I Met Your Mother.

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 "You say 'eh' all the time."

False.

It is only on rare occasions that I've ever heard anyone say "eh." I proceed to tease them when this happens; this actually happened in New York:
Andrew: "They really know what they're doing here, eh?"

Me: "Eh? What are you? Canadian or something?"
Seriously, it's very, very rare that we'll ever say eh.

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"Canadians are all really nice."

False.

Oh, how I wish this was true; and while I'd like to think it's true for the majority of us, it probably isn't for those in Toronto. I've been pushed, shoved and toppled over just by people trying to get a seat on the subway. Not everyone holds doors open, says thank you or apologises. We won't welcome you to the city with open arms and a box full of donuts. But, there are those of us who are nice and try to treat others the way they'd want to be treated (*cough* like me). I am completely guilty of apologising way too much though. Sorry.

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This man is insane.

"You're used to the cold."

False.

That's a dirty, filthy lie. I've lived here my whole life and I hate the cold. Hate it with a fierce passion. Whenever winter arrives, I bitch, moan and complain until it's finally spring again. I'd say this is true for almost everyone in this city.

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"You're all obsessed with hockey."

False.

I find hockey boring. Like, really boring. Why does it take so long to score a goal? Why is the game still not over? Let's not forget, hockey is on ice. Ice is cold. I don't like the cold. It should be noted though that a lot of people in Toronto take hockey very seriously and, although the Toronto Maple Leafs are terrible, Torontonians are very, very supportive of them. Despite being a terrible team, Maple Leaf tickets are the most expensive tickets in the NHL, averaging $368.60 a ticket. That said, not every Canadian loves hockey.

Can you think of any Canadian stereotypes not mentioned?
What stereotypes does your country have?

Side note: I'm embarrassed to say that while searching Google for GIFs and Memes to add to this post, I found multiple pictures of Justin Bieber. He does not represent Canada. America, you can have him.

24 comments:

  1. bahahahahaha! the coffee image!! i do think that all east coast peeps (nova scotia etc) are SUPER nice! i went there for work and i swear, everyone i met was the nicest person ever! even the cab driver who legit got cut off (but the car in front waved and when they pulled up at the stop light side by side, he rolled down the window AND APOLOGIZED) didn't get mad at getting cut off.

    and i only like hockey when they fight :)

    -kathy | Vodka and Soda

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  2. I will admit to saying "eh" a lot. It is how we turn statements into questions! I think Americans (or is it Australians?) say "ya" instead.

    Also, loving donuts has nothing to do with being Canadian. It has all to do with the fact that donuts are delish. Who they hell DOESNT like them? Though, I havent had one in months.

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  3. Haha, these are funny!! I think the whole Canadian stereotype thing is interesting, especially because I have met a few Americans who knew nothing about Canada besides Toronto. I love how the stereotypes are played out in How I Met Your Mother sometimes (especially in that rehearsal dinner episode! So funny!) I definitely don't go out of my way for donuts, but I do love coffee ;) I have found that many people out here on the east coast are *super* friendly, but I think it'd be pretty impossible to find a place in the world where everyone is nice :) And the cold weather sucks, no matter what. Great post, and very amusing!!

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  4. hahah I'm reading this as I drink my tim hortons coffee and look forward to a usa vs canada hockey game! Canadian guys seem to be overly friendly with me as I've almost been taken by them a few times in buffalo. I think another stereotype is the 'overly done accent'. When americans do it, we tend to sound really north dakota or minnesota-like.

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  5. I actually think that most of us do say eh, we just don't notice when we're doing it because it comes out so naturally.

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  6. I blame it all on How I Met Your Mother for why I thought some of these!! lol. I really thought y'all said "eh" all the time...glad to know not all these are true!!!!
    P.S. I hate winter too!!

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  7. I do love Tim Horton's and I will go out of my way to get it.. BUT- I'm not a big fan of donuts either. I think that I saw "hey" more.. "It's cold out today, hey?" I do find that people say eh.. but not as much as others think. How I Met Your Mother annoys me because it makes fun of us constantly and inaccurately! Obviously we're not all really nice. But I do find that we are quite friendly. Friendly and always nice.. are different I think. My step dad did wear shorts all year long.. in Alberta. He would wear his shorts, with a lumberjack plaid work shirt and wool socks with hiking boots. Looked pretty Canadian..! AND- I DO love hockey. AND... A LOT of Canadians love it, let's say compared to.. Americans. But of course you'll find people that do not. OMG- yes. Rob is a HUGE Toronto Maple Leaf fan and he has been for years and years. Poor guy gets so teased for it and he never ever would love another team. It doesn't matter how bad they are .. and they've been pretty bad.. He will always be loyal to them. A dream of his is to see a T.O game IN Toronto. All the games he's gone to in Vancouver, Vancouver has won.. every game.
    I think your list is pretty accurate..!

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  8. yeah all of these things are me. ALL OF THEM. I'm as Canadian as they come apparently.

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  9. We don't want Justin Beiber! Please take him back!! I'll trade you for Ryan Gosling or even settle for Ryan Reynolds. ;)

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  10. I love donuts so maybe that's a fat kid thing and not a Canadian thing. I do have the stereotype in my mind that all Canadians are really friendly. Sam's sister in law is Canadian she complains about the cold in England constantly. Which boggled my mind at first because of you know, stereotypes. I blame tv. x

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  11. Tell me some true ones! I completely agree I don't know who could ever get use to the cold....it's awful! What stereotypes of Americans can you think of? Unfortunately they are probably all true....

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  12. I thought the "eh" one was for sure! Dammit. I also want to hear some that might be true! I'm from Texas and I definitely, definitely say "y'all" ALL the time. I feel so fake saying "you all" or "all of you." Y'ALL! However, we do NOT ride horses everywhere...

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  13. Oh, how I love this! All of this! I do wish all Canadians were as nice as the rest of the world thinks we are. I lived in Calgary for a while. That was definitely the nicest most polite place I have ever been. I hate being cold. Hate it more than anything except maybe actual snow. Snow is my enemy. The only time I say "eh" is when I am making fun of Canadian stereotypes. I don't hate donuts but I honestly couldn't tell you the last time I had one. I can tell you I never get them at Tim Hortons. And I must be a traitor because I will be found in a Starbucks 10 times for every time you catch me in a Timmy's. :)

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  14. HAHA, I love these. I have to admit that I have had many of these assumptions about Canadians. I might be going to Vancouver this summer, so now I know better not to ask why they're not at a hockey game (in August). HA! (Kidding.) :)
    -Rachel @ With Love, Rachel

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  15. HAHAHAHA yay for killing all our Canadian stereotypes. I feel very honored to have inspired this post - love all the HIMYM references.

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  16. BAHAHA omg I love these and I've never even heard of the donut one! Some of my clients are from Canada and they just love to say "eh" just to joke around. I would say the U.S. is stereotyped to be lazy and fat...I mean sure..we do have an obesity problem...but we're not all shoveling Big Macs down our throats, eh! ;)

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  17. Americans are known for being fat, rude and lazy... I'd gladly trade stereotypes with you! hahaha

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  18. hahahaha this is soo great. love this post. EH?

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  19. i've heard you all don't lock your doors! i visited canada several times but never tested this theory out!

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  20. I've always heard Canadians hate Americans.. lol. I mean, I don't blame you. We're a fking hot mess over here. You've seen our leader, right? Anywho....... This was funny. And I agree with Amanda up thur ^^^ wanna trade stereotypes?

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  21. $368 for a hockey ticket? I'll drink beer in my house and have some people over to have a fist fight for free entertainment haha

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  22. but i have noticed that you guys pronounce Sorry differently than us Oregonians!

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  23. I thought of you and this post when I saw Canada won Gold at the Olympics for none other than....... Hockey. I liked that we merely tried to beat y'all in vain. And then you kicked Sweden's a** big time. What's funny is that you feel about Hockey the way I feel about American football--it's incredibly boring but so huuuuge here! Bleh :/.

    Cool post! A good intro to Canadian culture, of which Idk much--if anything--about :).

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  24. I don't know if you knew this or not but I am Canadian ;)
    I moved to FL when I was 8 though so I'm barely Canadian...
    But still got that Canadian passport..
    Anways the point of this long drawn out comment is that...
    I say "eh" sometimes hahaha.
    People tell me I say it a lot.
    I don't think I say it that much.
    Weird.

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